Glasgow City duo upbeat about Women's Champions League chances

Glasgow City's Denise O'Sullivan competes for possession with Chelsea Ladies' Niamh Fahey

Glasgow City forward Hayley Lauder is optimistic about Wednesday's Women's Champions League last-32 return leg against English champions Chelsea Ladies.

The Scottish Women's Premier League winners lost the first match 1-0 at Wheatsheaf Park in Staines.

"We'll be much more settled, we know what to expect now, said Lauder, 25.

"We respect them, they have great players but we're still very much in the tie. We're looking forward to it."

Lauder acknowledged that the strong title challenge by Hibs Ladies in the domestic league this season has been a positive after winning eight consecutive titles.

"We have had to raise our level," she told BBC Scotland.

"You know it is another level going into European games so we train towards that all year. If we get an early goal, you never know."

City's exploits last season, where they reached the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League, meant they were seeded eighth for this season's competition and so avoided the qualification group stages.

Chelsea, who have won the Women's Super League for the first time, are making their Champions League debut.

Meanwhile, City midfielder Jo Love is enjoying the attention women's football is attracting in both Scotland and England and suggests that people calling the cross-border matches with Chelsea "the Battle of Britain" shows they can compete with teams of that calibre.

"We know they have amazing players and they have a very aggressive front four," added the 29-year-old.

"They'll be looking to to keep more possession than they did in the last game. We frustrated them and upset their rhythm.

"We will need to take our chances but we have players who can do that so it is all to play for."